Premier League Weekend Preview and FPL Tips – Gameweek 5

Premier League Weekend Preview and FPL Tips – Gameweek 5

Normal service resumes this weekend after the international break with all 20 Premier League teams in action.

Here’s our closer look at this weekend’s games – and who could provide you with those vital Fantasy points…

Saturday’s games…

Spurs vs Liverpool, 12:30pm

The first game of the weekend, and it’s a belter with Spurs looking to bounce back from defeat at Watford and inflict a first defeat of the season on Jürgen Klopp. The home side will have to make do without Hugo Lloris and Dele Alli, giving the Reds a huge opportunity to pull further clear in the title race.

Safe pick: Lucas Moura – Spurs – a player reaping the benefits of being given time by Pochettino to adapt to life in England, Spurs will be hoping for another explosive performance from the former PSG man. £7.3m.Leftfield pick: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool – in a tight game between title-chasers, a stunning free-kick can make all the difference, and the 19-year-old has shown previously he has that ability in his locker.

3pm games

Bournemouth vs Leicester City

Both of these two sides can be happy with their respective starts, and on paper this looks to be one of the more open games this weekend. The Cherries always look dangerous on home soil, but can they keep Claude Puel’s side quiet on the break?

Safe pick: Callum Wilson – Bournemouth – surely deserving of a call from Gareth Southgate at some point in the near future, Wilson now looks comfortably established at this level. £6.2m.Leftfield pick: Rachid Ghezzal – Leicester City – off the mark with a little help from some disastrous footwork from Liverpool keeper Alisson last time out, Ghezzai has been given time to adapt to Premier League football and looks nearly up to full speed. At £5.3m, he won’t hurt the bank balance too much either.

Chelsea vs Cardiff City

Will it be a long afternoon for Neil Warnock against a club he turned down the opportunity to manage in the early nineties? The Blues have started impressively under Maurizio Sarri and currently look worthy title contenders, but will need to be clinical against a Bluebirds side that have shown plenty of signs of being well-organised for all their limitations.

Safe pick: Eden Hazard – Chelsea – this is the type of game where he can run riot in completely dominating the show from midfield. £10.7m.Leftfield pick: Sean Morrison – Cardiff City – set pieces are likely to offer Cardiff their best route of grabbing some unexpected points and Morrison always poses a threat from corners. £5.0m.

Huddersfield vs Crystal Palace

A game that already has the hallmarks of a massive relegation six-pointer given both sides’ sluggish starts to the Premier League season. Goals currently look a real problem for both sides – particularly if Zaha remains absent for the Eagles.

Safe pick Andros Townsend – Crystal Palace – could be the game’s only genuine livewire in the absence of Zaha. £5.9m.Leftfield pick: Rajiv van La Parra – he blows hot and cold, but is capable of putting on a show if the Terriers are on their A-game. £4.9m.

Man City vs Fulham

The Cottagers finally face the daunting task that awaits any Premier League new-boys – testing their mettle at the home of the reigning Champions. Expect goals in this one with Fulham reliant on their attacking strengths to compensate for their defensive lapses.

Safe pick: Benjamin Mendy – Man City – a fantasy points machine so far this season, and that could continue if Fulham struggle to contain a swarming City attack. £6.4m.Leftfield pick: Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham – it’s been a low-key start to his Premier League career with Slavisa Jokanovic treating his prized young asset with care – but could this be the moment he announces himself on the biggest stage? £6.9m.

Newcastle vs Arsenal

Can Rafa finally get a win under his belt this season and outwit Unai Emery tactically? This game certainly looks a classic case of attack vs defence – and the first goal could be crucial in determining whether the St James Park faithful goes home with a smile on their faces.

Safe pick: Alexandre Lacazette – Arsenal – the Frenchman finally looks settled at the Emirates after an impressive start to the season, and a goal against Cardiff should only breed more more confidence £9.4m.Leftfield pick: Joselu – Newcastle – he’s certainly a player who divides opinions, but Rafa Benitez has kept faith in the Spaniard and with two goals so far this season, he might be a value pick this weekend. £5.0.

Watford vs Man Utd, 5:30pm

Aside from Saturday’s early Big Six battle, this game looks to be the one to settle down on the sofa for, with the Hornets eager to stretch their unbeaten run and pile the pressure back on Jose Mourinho. The win at Burnley and two-week international break has helped calm nerves at Utd, but this looks like another massive potential banana skin.

Safe pick Romelu Lukaku – Man Utd – still the player Utd will rely on in times of trouble to get them out of a hole against smaller teams. £11.0m.Leftfield pick: Daryl Janmaat – Watford – Other Hornets players may be stealing the headlines, but the Dutchman is stealing the Fantasy points with a bumper 7 points from defence across two gameweeks so far this season. A safe choice at £5.0m.

Sunday’s games

Wolves vs Burnley, 1:30pm

It doesn’t get any easier for Sean Dyche’s side with the Clarets facing a tricky-looking trip to Molineux as they look to reboot their season. Nuno’s side already look the part at Premier League level and will be eyeing up all three points to help continue their upward trajectory.

Safe FPL pick: João Moutinho – Wolves – eyebrows were raised when the Portuguese star swapped the bright lights of Monaco for the West Midlands this summer, but he’s settled in instantly and added a touch of class to the Wolves midfield. £5.4m.Leftfield FPL pick: Sam Vokes – Burnley – he’ll never be the Premier League’s most technically gifted player, but if Dyche needs a Plan B late in the game, it’ll be the powerful Welsh striker who will get the nod. £5.4m.

Everton vs West Ham, 4pm

West Ham need something – anything – to get their season going, and might just have an opening against an Everton side missing a number of first team regulars. Can Manuel Pellegrini sort out the Hammers’ defensive issues in time up against a Toffees side that look far more dangerous under Marco Silva?

Safe FPL pick: Gylfi Sigurdsson – Everton – Richarlison has stolen the plaudits this season, but with the Brazilian out suspended, the Icelandic star will likely carry the Toffees’ strongest midfield threat. £7.4m.Leftfield FPL pick: Michail Antonio – West Ham – his star may have waned a little in recent months, but Antonio still has the ability to turn it on in short spells if the Hammers can keep the game in the balance. £6.9m.

Monday’s game

Southampton vs Brighton, 8pm

It’s billed as a local derby, but most of the spice from this game dates to the South Coast clubs’ time together battling for the League One title seven years ago. Survival will be the priority for both these sides in 2018, and Saints will look to exploit the Seagulls’ regular bouts of travel sickness.

Safe FPL pick: Danny Ings – Southampton – the former Liverpool man has made an assured start to his career on the South Coast. Reasonable value at £5.6m.Leftfield FPL pick: Martín Montoya – Brighton – £4.5m – the Spaniard had adapted quickly to life in the Premier League and has formed an instant rapport with Anthony Knockaert.